Nicola Sturgeon has broken her silence on the storm surrounding MP Michelle Thomson, who is the subject of a police investigation.
The first minister said she had “no knowledge” of the accusations against Mrs Thomson, who resigned the SNP party whip following the announcement of the probe.
But Ms Sturgeon refused to condemn the former business spokeswoman, who is facing an inquiry into “alleged irregularities” relating to property deals in the year 2010/11, while the police investigation was ongoing.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I had no knowledge of these accusations till like everyone else I read it in the Sunday Times.
“There are serious issues that have been raised here. Michelle Thomson maintains that all of her business dealings are entirely within the law.
“She has decided that she wants to step aside from the SNP until this investigation is concluded and I think that’s the right thing for her to do.”
In a statement released last night, Mrs Thomson insisted she had always acted within the law.
The first minister added: “There is now an investigation being conducted by the police into property transactions. I don’t think it is appropriate for me to go into detail about aspects of those.
“We have to allow that investigation to take its course.
“I don’t want to be in a position where any elected representative is having to step aside because there is an investigation of any nature into aspects of their business dealings.
“Clearly that is not a situation I would have chosen to happen.”
Mrs Thompson was also right to withdraw from the SNP whip on her account, Ms Sturgeon said.